Corbyn denies Brexit backdoor meetings with Barnier and Selmayr

Jeremy Corbyn insisted he would not engage in behind-the-scenes negotiations with Brexit with Brussels after meetings with Brexit's two most senior European officials on Thursday.

The Labor leader was in the EU's capital to meet Michel Barnier, the Brexit Chief Negotiator of the European Commission, and Martin Selmayr, the EU's highest official.

At an "interesting" and "useful" meeting with Mr. Barnier, Mr. Corbyn said that he had not discussed the future commercial relationship between the UK and the United States. EU – referred to as Checkers – and Mr Barnier did not comment on the union's desire to retain the customs union. and parts of the single market.

"We do not negotiate, obviously. We are not in government, we are in opposition, "Corbyn told reporters after the meeting. "This is not a negotiation, it is we who inform him of what our opinions are and he tells us what was the state of affairs in the negotiations."

With respect to labor policy, Mr. Corbyn added that Mr. Barnier was "interested in knowing what our opinions are and the six tests we have established to keep our government in the future."

The meeting between the opposition leader and Barnier comes less than a week after Theresa May declared that negotiations with the EU27 had resulted in a "stalemate" on the issue of terrorism. Irish border. The Prime Minister insists that Northern Ireland can not be part of a customs zone separate from that of mainland Britain.

Mr Corbyn said this week that his MEPs would vote against any final Brexit withdrawal agreement that would exclude the UK from the EU customs union. When asked if the unions would request an extension of the Article 50 process, he said it would depend on the coming to power of the workers and the timing of the new elections. The UK is expected to leave the EU by the end of March 2019.

After the meeting, Mr Barnier tweeted: "Continue to listen to all views on #Brexit and explain the EU positions, which are aimed at the orderly withdrawal of the UK and build together an ambitious partnership."